Sigh…Bill Maher Calls Himself A ‘House N-Word’ On HBO Show

Twitter went off on the comedian and talk show host for using the racial slur.

Bill Maher has built a career teetering the line of racial politics and comedy, but on Friday he may have seriously stepped over it.

On Friday’s Real TimeMaher referred to himself as a “house n-word while interviewing Republican Sen. Ben Sasse of Nebraska. The two were talking about adults dressing in Halloween costumes and Maher asked the Senator if they did that in Nebraska.

After the show, the Senator took to Twitter to condemnMaher’s use of the racial slur: “I’m a 1st Amendment absolutist. Comedians get latitude to cross hard lines,” he said. “But free speech comes with a responsibility to speak up when folks use that word. Me just cringing last night wasn’t good enough.”

Am walking off a redeye from LAX.3 reflections on @billmaher1. I’m a 1st Amendment absolutist. Comedians get latitude to cross hard lines.